E. Bert Riddle (September 17, 1893[2] – March 17, 1979) was an American politician. He served as a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives.[3] He also served as a member for the 3rd district of the Florida Senate.[4]
E. Bert Riddle | |
|---|---|
 Riddle in 1961 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from Holmes County | |
| In office 1921 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from Walton County | |
| In office 1941 | |
| In office 1961 – May 24, 1961[1] | |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 3rd district | |
| In office 1945–1947 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 17, 1893 |
| Died | March 17, 1979 (aged 85) |
| Political party | Democratic |
Riddle was arrested on moral charges in October 1947 for improper conduct towards a 12-year-old girl in a school where he was the principal.[5] He had already resigned as principal at the time of his arrest.[5] He was tried the same month on October 23, found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison.[6] He appealed the sentence to the Florida Supreme court and in January 1948 he qualified to stand for re-election to the senate.[7] He lost both his bid for re-election and his appeal June 1948.[8]
In January 1960 Riddle declared that he was going to run again for his senate seat,[9] but in May he lost to Clyde Galloway.[10] He then stood again for the House in the 1961 special general election in Broward County, Florida[11] which he won in February.[12]
Riddle was expelled unanimously from the House on May 24, 1961 after being accused of sending an indecent note to a 12-year-old female page.[13][1] He was taken into custody by the police upon leaving the chamber but was later released with no formal charges.[14]
He died on March 17, 1979, at the age of 65 at his home in Holmes County, Florida. He was survived by his wife, Ethel Riddle, and seven of his children.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b "The People of Lawmaking Florida 1822 – 2019" (PDF), Florida Legislature, February 2019
- ^ Florida Highways: Volume 13, J. E. Robinson, 1944
- ^ Ward, Robert (August 3, 2011). "Membership of the Florida House of Representatives by County 1845-2012" (PDF). Florida House of Representatives. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Florida Senators 1845-2001". Archived from the original on March 19, 2007. Retrieved July 29, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b "Senator Arrested On Moral Charges". The Tampa Times. 10 October 1947. p. 3. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Preacher-Senator Gets Prison Term on Moral Charges". The Waco News-Tribune. 24 October 1947. p. 17. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Sentenced Solon Seeks Re-Election". The Columbus Ledger. 1 February 1948. p. 5. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Riddle Penalty Upheld By Court". Tallahassee Democrat. 30 June 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Bert Riddle To Run Again". Tallahassee Democrat. 27 January 1960. p. 14. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Senate Gets Three New Faces While Four In House Ousted". The Orlando Sentinel. 26 May 1960. p. 19. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Broward, Walton County General Election Set". The Tampa Tribune. 7 January 1961. p. 9. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Riddle, David Win State Posts". The Miami Herald. 9 February 1961. p. 25. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "LEGISLATURE RARELY PUNISHES ONE OF ITS OWN". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Riddle Is Expelled On Moral Charge". News-Press. 25 May 1961. p. 1. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Obituary for E. Bert Riddle". The Pensacola News. 19 March 1979. p. 4. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
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